Overview

The Ventana Symphony Staining Instrument manipulates trays of slides by moving them vertically to various processing stations.  The "elevator" that moves the tray vertically stops at these stations where a horizontal motion is employed to push/pull the tray into/out of the station(s).  Currently, the vertical motion is achieved using a indirectly driven counterweight system.  The project proposed is to design a field retrofit-able direct-drive option (eliminate the counterweight) with no backlash and true position feedback.  The production version of the proposal must cost at least 20% less than the current design, which will be disclosed later.  Key deliverable at end of project involves a fully functional prototype retrofitted into an existing VMSI engineering Symphony instrument.

Projects are managed through VMSI R&D Engineering.  Students are given freedom and encouraged to be creative.  As part of our R&D team, the students will have access to our mechanical, electrical, chemical, & software engineers for consultation.  We meet weekly at our facility for the first semester, every other week during the second semester.  Traditionally we closely monitor and control purchases, steering students away from expensive options.  This year, a budget may be enforced and would be communicated at the first meeting.  We STRONGLY encourage teams to fabricate as much as possible by themselves in order to get the experience, not to keep costs down.  Parts too complicated will be made professionally for printed using our 3D printing equipment.